3 3 of calopterygid damselflies appear to court 9 9 of other (related, sympatric) spp. only rarely. Apparently, 9 9 of this group bear species-specific characteristics that release sexual behaviour in conspecific 3 3 only. Sympatric Calopteryx spp. usually differ conspicuously in pigmentation (colour, transparency, darkness) of their wings. 9 9 C. haemorrhoidalis differ from all other European spp. by the presence of a dark distal zone in the hindwings. – The relative value of various (manipulated) sets of 9 wings for elicitation of cj courtship was assessed using choice experiments. C. haemorrhoidalis 3 3 did not court wingless $ 9 of their own sp. nor did they court conspecific 9 9 with wings of the sympatric C. xanthostoma. However, the presence of a single wing of a conspecific 9 was sufficient to elicit courtship behaviour. Choices between 2 9 models (presented simultaneously to territorial male individuals) revealed that the presence of a contrasting dark zone was an important distinguishing characteristic, whereas too high a transparency (a single wing as opposed to a set of 2 or 4 wings pressed against each other) greatly diminished the value of a model. The need for the presence of a dark zone will be effective in precluding courtship of 9 9 of other sympatric spp. The need for sufficiently low transparency will put a check on courtship attempts of immature 9 9.